Win over Steelers would help Texans' credibility

The Steelers will pose a big test for the Texans on Sunday. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

The Steelers will pose a big test for the Texans on Sunday. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Photo: Darron Cummings, Associated Press

Photo: Darron Cummings, Associated Press

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The Steelers will pose a big test for the Texans on Sunday. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

The Steelers will pose a big test for the Texans on Sunday. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Photo: Darron Cummings, Associated Press

Win over Steelers would help Texans' credibility

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As we approach the quarter mark of the season, three things are becoming crystal clear.

First, the South is the worst division in the AFC and the second-worst division in the NFL to the NFC West.

Second, if the Texans expect to make the playoffs for the first time, their best chance is to win a dreadful division.

Third, if the Texans don't win the division, Bob McNair will send so many heads rolling down Kirby they will need a police escort to keep from causing wrecks.

If the Texans want to be taken seriously locally and nationally, they need to beat Pittsburgh at Reliant Stadium on Sunday.

Wiping the floor with winless teams like Indianapolis and Miami was a nice start, but defeating the Steelers to begin 3-1 would make some of us think the fourth-quarter collapse at New Orleans was an aberration.

A 3-1 start might leave the Texans alone in first place, since Tennessee (2-1) could lose at Cleveland (2-1).

AFC South enticing

The division has been set up so perfectly for the Texans to win that it's almost scary.

Quarterbacks - Peyton Manning (16-2) and David Garrard (6-2) - who were a combined 22-4 against the Texans are not playing for the Colts and Jaguars.

Manning's neck surgery has reduced the Colts to playing at such a low level that they might actually be in the Andrew Luck sweepstakes by the end of the season.

The Jaguars already have turned to their first-round pick - quarterback Blaine Gabbert - and should compete with the Colts for last place in the division.

The surprise team has been Tennessee under new coach Mike Munchak. After losing 16-14 at Jacksonville, the Titans shocked Baltimore 26-13 and edged Denver 17-14.

Under new coordinator Jerry Gray, the Titans rank first in defense, allowing 261 yards a game. They are second in run defense (89). They haven't been spectacular in one area, just solid in every area.

The interesting thing about the Titans' start has been the struggle of running back Chris Johnson, who held out until he got the $30 million guaranteed he had demanded.

Three games into the season, Johnson has 46 carries for 98 yards, a 2.1-yard average per carry. This from a back who has averaged 5 yards a carry in his distinguished career.

The Titans are last in rushing, averaging 51.7 yards and 2.4 per carry. So what in the name of Jeff Fisher has happened to their running game?

Defenses are loading up to stop Johnson, who isn't in football shape because of the lockout and holdout. And the offensive line hasn't been as effective as it should have been.

Hasselbeck lifts Titans

The main reason the Titans have two victories has been the exceptional performance of quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. In his first season after leaving Seattle, Hasselbeck picked up where he left off in the playoffs when he ignited the Seahawks to a wild-card victory over New Orleans. Hasselbeck has completed 69.6 percent of his passes. He has five touchdowns, 932 yards and two interceptions. His rating is 102.2.

Tennessee suffered a huge loss when receiver Kenny Britt, who had a 17-yard average per catch and three touchdowns, was lost for the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

Now, though, it looks like the Titans will go as far as Hasselbeck, Johnson and their defense can take them.

The first game between the Texans and Titans is Oct. 23 at LP Field in Nashville. The rematch is the last game of the season - Jan. 1 at Reliant Stadium.

The Titans are like the Texans in that they know they better win the AFC South if they want to make the playoffs. With so many good teams in the AFC, shooting for a wild-card berth is going to be a long shot for some of them.